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In the News: Villa Staying Put, Pirlo's Throne Vacant

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David Villa has ruled out a return to European football, saying that he's focused on extending his career as long as possible. 


"[Seeing Pirlo retire showed me] that I have to train harder every day if I want to continue extending my career. Someday I will leave, as will everyone, it's a fact of life. But I'm going to fight to make it as late as possible," Villa said in an interview that originally appeared in Marca. 


He also spoke about MLS, saying that players in Europe are reaching out to him about coming stateside.


"I think that anyone who has actually watched an MLS game can say that it's a very competitive, physical and attractive league," said Villa.


"Really, quite a few [have reached out]. The MLS is growing a lot and is having more and more global impact. Many have called me and are interested in what's going on here."


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Another legend, Patrick Vieira, is in the middle of some European rumors, as well. According to Calcio Mercato, French clubs are in hot pursuit of the NYCFC Head Coach.


"Patrick Vieira is a hot commodity in his native France. According to reports, St. Etienne have reignited their pursuit of him after the firing of Oscar Garcia," writes Calcio Mercato. 


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He's not the only NYCFC member with suitors, though. Jack Harrison, who just turned 21 earlier this week, is the subject of transfer rumors linking him to the Premier League


"The youngster has begun to fulfill his potential across the Atlantic and has emerged as one of England’s brightest young stars, having bagged ten goals so far this season," writes TalkSport.


"That form has sparked interest from Brighton, Everton and Leicester in Harrison, who is reportedly valued at ÂŁ6m."


TalkSport thinks it's Leicester who are the most aggressive in their pursuit of the young winger, stating, "The club are desperate to beat their rivals to his signature and are hoping to sneak ahead of them with a bid in the next transfer window."


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Last but not least, now that Andrea Pirlo—The Maestro, himself—is officially retired, it's time to ask a very controversial question: who is the coolest man in football?


ESPN FC thinks they have a few potential candidates, but before the list hits, James Horncastle explains what makes Pirlo so darn cool.


"No one has come to embody the notion of "cool" more than Pirlo," he writes, "from his perfectly disheveled hair that would make Ron Burgundy jealous to the fact that he's not impressed by you, ever, Pirlo commanded your attention and admiration."


Perfectly disheveled? More like just perfect, James. 


The list features some pretty cool names like Neymar, Sergio Ramos, and everybody's favorite supervillain Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They're all cool, but just not as cool as Andrea Pirlo.